Photography/Recording Policy
The recording, through photographs and/or video tapes, of special events in an individual’s
spiritual life is significant. We encourage you to make the event special and we welcome
your desire to record these ceremonies. Because worship is a special community and
individual event we have a number of guidelines. These have been developed based on our
desire to keep the focus of our gathering on worship. Without guidelines photographers
can become the focus of attention; focus should rather be on the Lord or the persons whom
the Lord is blessing. In the visual recording of an event, it is often the photographer’s
desire to be close to the action and to view it from an optimum angle. This can become
intrusive. An acceptable alternative is to request that the Pastor and worship leaders restage
the event following the service so that the photographer will have the opportunity to
get the desired perspective, lighting, and camera angles.
The rules regarding the actions, movement and position of the photographer are as follows:
1. The photographer(s) will be informed of the position from which the actual event may be
recorded. (Almost any position may be used during the re-staged event.)
2. The motion of a photographer trying to get that “best shot” can be distracting; such
distractions are unacceptable. Standing behind the altar, organ, behind or on the pulpit, or
on the altar riser is not allowed.
3. The use of special lighting, i.e. flash or flood lights, is not permitted during the actual
event. Flash lamps startle and disrupt attention. Flood lights divert attention away from
the focus of the ceremony. Therefore, at all times during the service (i.e., between the
Invocation and Benediction inclusive) special lighting shall not be used. High speed films
and/or available-light methods may be employed during the actual event. (Special lighting
may be employed when the ceremony is re-staged.)
We want everyone to be able to celebrate these special worship events in a meaningful way.
We hope you understand the purpose of our photography/recording policy in providing for
that.
spiritual life is significant. We encourage you to make the event special and we welcome
your desire to record these ceremonies. Because worship is a special community and
individual event we have a number of guidelines. These have been developed based on our
desire to keep the focus of our gathering on worship. Without guidelines photographers
can become the focus of attention; focus should rather be on the Lord or the persons whom
the Lord is blessing. In the visual recording of an event, it is often the photographer’s
desire to be close to the action and to view it from an optimum angle. This can become
intrusive. An acceptable alternative is to request that the Pastor and worship leaders restage
the event following the service so that the photographer will have the opportunity to
get the desired perspective, lighting, and camera angles.
The rules regarding the actions, movement and position of the photographer are as follows:
1. The photographer(s) will be informed of the position from which the actual event may be
recorded. (Almost any position may be used during the re-staged event.)
2. The motion of a photographer trying to get that “best shot” can be distracting; such
distractions are unacceptable. Standing behind the altar, organ, behind or on the pulpit, or
on the altar riser is not allowed.
3. The use of special lighting, i.e. flash or flood lights, is not permitted during the actual
event. Flash lamps startle and disrupt attention. Flood lights divert attention away from
the focus of the ceremony. Therefore, at all times during the service (i.e., between the
Invocation and Benediction inclusive) special lighting shall not be used. High speed films
and/or available-light methods may be employed during the actual event. (Special lighting
may be employed when the ceremony is re-staged.)
We want everyone to be able to celebrate these special worship events in a meaningful way.
We hope you understand the purpose of our photography/recording policy in providing for
that.